Boston Massacre Details:
- Previous rioting had led to tension between the Colonists and the British.
- The repealing of the Stamp Act had emboldened the Colonists.
- Britain passed more tax laws (Townshend Act) and sent more troops (about 4000)
- Colonists constantly taunted the British soliders calling them things like "lobster backs".
- On the evening of March 5th, 1770, drunk colonists were taunting a group of British at the Customs House
- Taunts led to colonists showing up with clubs and throwing snowballs. Some even began daring the troops to fire (Not smart)
- The British were ordered to load their muskets and to "fix bayonets".
- "Fire" or "Don't Fire"
- 5 colonists were killed. Crispus Attucks, a former slave was the first colonists to die in the Revolution
- Samuel Adams called it a "massacre" and Paul Revere made the famous engraving that was passed around the colonies.
- Soldiers were defended by John Adams, all were acquitted except for two that were branded and kicked out of the army.